Is MRK or QCOM cheaper?

On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: MRK trades at a 33.54 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.

Which has grown faster, MRK or QCOM?

Over the past five years, QCOM grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.

Does MRK or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?

MRK yields 3.50% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is MRK or QCOM more profitable?

QCOM runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus QCOM at 22.31%.

Which has been the better investment, MRK or QCOM?

Over the past 10-year, QCOM delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.57% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

MRK leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics, though QCOM is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Merck & Co., Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

QUALCOMM Incorporated

$223.15B

$211.72Technology

Total return — MRK vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 30y

MRK +292.5%QCOM +7150.7%QCOM compounded faster

Log scale — wide-divergence pair

MRK QCOM

MRK vs QCOM: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($294.03B vs $223.15B market cap).
•QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 33.54 P/E).
•QCOM converts more revenue to profit (22.31% vs 13.62% net margin).
•MRK pays the higher dividend yield (3.50% vs 1.70%).

Which is better, MRK or QCOM?

Metric tally: MRK 11 · QCOM 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueQCOM(lower P/E)

IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)

QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	MRK	QCOM
P/E ratio	33.54	22.72●
Forward P/E	12.35●	19.72
P/S ratio	4.49●	5.10
P/B ratio	6.41●	8.32
PEG ratio	1.81●	3.96
EV / EBITDA	19.58	16.71●
FCF yield	4.80%	5.51%●

Profitability

Metric	MRK	QCOM
Gross margin	75.91%●	54.80%
Operating margin	27.59%●	25.52%
Net margin	13.62%	22.31%●
ROE	19.48%	36.38%●
ROIC	18.27%●	13.15%

Dividends

Metric	MRK	QCOM
Dividend yield	3.50%●	1.70%
Payout ratio	57.12%	70.95%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	MRK	QCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	8.60%	8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	21.21%●	5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	15.69%●	9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	12.79%●	11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MRK or QCOM?: It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 11 to 5.
Is MRK or QCOM cheaper?: On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: MRK trades at a 33.54 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
Which has grown faster, MRK or QCOM?: Over the past five years, QCOM grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does MRK or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?: MRK yields 3.50% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MRK or QCOM more profitable?: QCOM runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, MRK or QCOM?: Over the past 10-year, QCOM delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.57% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full MRK analysis Full QCOM analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Merck & P/E ratio QUALCOMM P/E ratio Merck & dividend yield QUALCOMM dividend yield Merck & ROE QUALCOMM ROE Merck & operating margin QUALCOMM operating margin Merck & revenue growth QUALCOMM revenue growth Merck & free cash flow QUALCOMM free cash flow

Merck & & QUALCOMM appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 15, 2026.